Date Ideas in Oakland

Wander seven acres of themed gardens at Gardens at Lake Merritt in Lakeside Park, moving from a Japanese garden waterfall to the bonsai collection. The grounds also include edible gardens of vegetables and herbs, plus a juniper in the bonsai collection that is about 1,600 years old.

Listen to whole albums on a hi-fi system at Bar Shiru, an Uptown vinyl listening bar where jazz, soul and international grooves play all the way through. More than 75 acoustic panels keep the room quiet enough for conversation, while the low lighting gives it a moodier feel. There is no food, but you can order craft cocktails, Japanese whisky, local beer or wine. Guests must be 21 or older, groups are limited to six, and doors open at 4pm Tuesday through Sunday; the bar is closed Mondays.

Pair brunch in Grand Lake with a matinee at the Grand Lake Theater, a historic movie palace where the experience extends beyond the film itself. The Mighty Wurlitzer organ plays before Saturday evening screenings, there are no commercials, some movies run in 35MM, and the theater is known for 3-D with a refund guarantee during the first 15 minutes.

Spend an afternoon moving through California art, history and natural science at the Oakland Museum of California, an indoor museum between downtown and Lake Merritt with special exhibitions. Fridays add Off the Grid food trucks and exhibits, with the Lakeside entrance at 12th Street.

Settle in for a guided tasting at Rosenblum Cellars in Jack London Square, or turn it into a longer afternoon with lunch on the patio. The tasting room looks toward the marina green and ferry terminal, while Yoshi's nearby gives you an easy show to add afterward. The patio is not heated, but fleece blankets are available on cooler days.

Start with cocktails at Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon, the historic Jack London Square bar that has been open since June 1, 1884, then add a movie afterward. Inside is cozy, while the estuary-side patio gives you a place to watch the boats. The saloon opens at 3pm Monday, noon Tuesday through Saturday and 11am Sunday, and closes around 9pm.

Make live music the center of the night at Yoshi's in Jack London Square, a jazz club and restaurant booking about 500 shows a year across jazz, R&B, soul, comedy and rock. Japanese and fusion dishes make dinner easy to fold into the plan, and Rosenblum Cellars nearby gives you a tasting stop beforehand if you want one. Dining reservations are recommended.

Start with a latte by day or a glass of wine after dark at Kinfolx in Uptown, a coffee shop that shifts into a wine bar in the evening as the lights dim. Food and non-alcoholic drinks are available too, and the space also hosts events.

Spend the date hiking and picnicking among the redwoods at Redwood Regional Park. Start on the Tres Sendas Trail just north of Chabot Space & Science Center, or connect to the three-mile French Trail. Sections of Stream Trail have been closed for repairs since August 24, and the Old Church picnic-site section is closed October 12 through October 31; neither Tres Sendas nor French Trail is named in the closure notice. In October, the main gate is open from 8am to 7pm. Weekend parking is $5 per vehicle, cash only, and cell service is limited or unavailable.

Lake Merritt is one of Oakland's most romantic spots for an outdoor date, with beautiful waterfront views and plenty of ways to spend time together. Start with a leisurely walk along the 3.4-mile paved path, then find a grassy spot for a picnic or rent a paddle boat for two from the Lake Merritt Boating Center. You can also stop by the Rotary Nature Center for some birdwatching or end the date with a waterfront dinner at Lake Chalet.